Anti-Asian Racism Condemned By Fairfax Supervisors' Resolution

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — On Tuesday, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a resolution condemning anti-Asian discrimination and acts.

The board matter was introduced by Chairman Jeff McKay in the wake of the March 16 shootings that killed eight people in the Atlanta area. Six of the victims were Asian American women.

Anti-Asian incidents have notably risen in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to the creation of the nonprofit Stop AAPI Hate in March 2020. The center documents U.S. incidents of hate, violence, harassment, discrimination, shunning, and child bullying against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, according to the nonprofit's website. According to its latest report, 3,795 incidents were tracked by Stop AAPI Hate from March 19, 2020 to February 28, 2021.

According to the Fairfax County resolution, nearly 20 percent of the county's population is Asian or Pacific Islander, while Korean and Vietnamese are two of the five most spoken languages in the county.

McKay encouraged residents to report any crimes, including racially-motivated crimes to police at the emergency number 911 or non-emergency number 703-691-2131.

The Fairfax County Police Department released its own statement in response to the Atlanta shootings last week.

"The Fairfax County Police Department stands with our Asian American Pacific Islander community in Fairfax County and across the United States," the statement reads. "Our officers are here for every member of the community, twenty-four hours a day."

Tuesday's board matter not only acknowledged the increase in anti-Asian sentiment with the COVID-19 pandemic but also the country's history of anti-Asian racism.

Below is the full Board of Supervisors resolution.

Whereas, nearly 20 percent of Fairfax County’s population is of Asian or Pacific Islander
decent; and

Whereas, the Asian American population of Fairfax County makes significant contributions to
the cultural, educational, and economic fabric of our community; and

Whereas, in Fairfax County, we know our diversity is our strength; and

Whereas, the adopted One Fairfax resolution commits the County and schools to intentionally
consider equity when making policies or delivering programs and services; and

Whereas, helping all people reach their highest level of personal achievement is vital to our
County’s successful ability to compete in the global economy; and

Whereas, no race, nationality, or ethnicity is responsible for COVID-19; and

Whereas, incidents of anti-Asian American violence have increased since the beginning of the
pandemic; and

Whereas, the use of anti-Asian terminology and rhetoric related to COVID-19 have perpetuated
anti-Asian stigma; and

Whereas, a Pew Research Center study found that one-third of Asian Americans nationwide
report being the target of racial slurs or scapegoating since the pandemic; and

Whereas, fear in our Asian communities have mounted since last week’s murder of eight people,
including six Asian American women in Georgia; and

Whereas, President Biden issued an Executive Memorandum on his 6th day in office committing
the Federal government to condemn and combat racism, xenophobia, and intolerance against
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States; now

Therefore, Be It Resolved, that Fairfax County condemns all bigotry, harassment, and hate
violence directed at Asian Americans in our community, and

Therefore, Be It Resolved, that Fairfax County commits to expanding awareness of these
incidents and to protecting Fairfax County’s vulnerable residents.